This Is So Awkward audiobook cover - Modern Puberty Explained

This Is So Awkward

Modern Puberty Explained

Cara Natterson & Vanessa Kroll Bennett

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ParentingEducationHealth & Nutrition

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This Is So Awkward
Modern Puberty's Evolution+
Effective Communication+
Navigating Physical Changes+
Brain & Mental Health+
Talking About Sex+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
According to the text, how has the timeline of puberty changed in recent decades?
  • A. It starts at the same age but lasts significantly shorter due to improved nutrition.
  • B. It begins earlier and lasts much longer, creating a larger gap between physical and brain maturity.
  • C. It starts later in life but accelerates, completing in just three or four years.
  • D. It begins earlier but the brain matures at a proportionally faster rate to compensate.
Question 2 of 6
What does the book recommend parents do when discussing puberty with their kids?
  • A. Share as many of their own awkward puberty stories as possible to show they relate.
  • B. Avoid over-relating through their own experiences, as it makes the conversation about the parent rather than the child.
  • C. Fake having the answers to tricky questions to maintain their authority and credibility.
  • D. Expect the child to act as mature as their physically developing body appears.
Question 3 of 6
Which of the following statements is true regarding physical changes in modern puberty?
  • A. The average age for a girl's first period has dropped significantly along with earlier breast development.
  • B. Boys generally begin puberty around age 12, significantly later than in past decades.
  • C. While physical puberty begins earlier, the average age for the first menstruation has remained around 12 to 12.5.
  • D. Breast development usually begins evenly and symmetrically, and any unevenness requires medical attention.
Question 4 of 6
Why might a teenager have an insightful conversation about risks one day, but make a reckless choice the next?
  • A. The frontal lobe, which governs rational thinking, is not fully developed until the mid-20s.
  • B. Teenagers intentionally test boundaries to assert their independence from parents.
  • C. Social media conditions the teenage brain to seek immediate rewards over long-term safety.
  • D. The sudden drop in estrogen and testosterone during puberty disrupts short-term memory.
Question 5 of 6
How does social media act as a 'double-edged sword' for teenage mental health, according to the text?
  • A. It allows parents to monitor their kids, but destroys the child's sense of privacy.
  • B. It provides a sense of community for late bloomers, but exposes them to cyberbullying.
  • C. It helps lift the stigma around mental illness, but makes teens more likely to self-pathologize normal teenage feelings.
  • D. It encourages healthy lifestyle habits, but promotes unrealistic physical body standards.
Question 6 of 6
What is a key piece of advice the authors give for talking to kids about sex?
  • A. Save all information for one comprehensive 'Talk' when the child turns 12.
  • B. Focus strictly on the risks, such as STIs and unwanted pregnancies, to ensure they make safe choices.
  • C. Start by teaching young children about consent and bodily autonomy before introducing sexual topics later.
  • D. Avoid discussing pornography, as bringing it up might encourage them to seek it out.

This Is So Awkward — Full Chapter Overview

This Is So Awkward Summary & Overview

This Is So Awkward (2023) is the ultimate guide to navigating the cringeworthy, bewildering realm of adolescence. Blending scientific insight with compassion and frankness, this indispensable toolkit helps adults support teens through the tumultuous journey growing up.

Who Should Listen to This Is So Awkward?

  • Parents of tweens and teens looking for guidance on puberty-related issues
  • Teachers looking for advice on leading puberty education and supporting students
  • Coaches and mentors interested in understanding teen experience 

About the Author: Cara Natterson & Vanessa Kroll Bennett

Cara Netterson is a pediatrician and a leading voice on puberty and adolescent health. She’s written several books, including the bestselling The Care & Keeping of You series, with over seven million copies in print.

Vanessa Kroll Bennett is a puberty expert, writer, and podcaster who helps adults navigate uncertainty while supporting kids. She is co-host of The Puberty Podcast & founder of Dynamo Girl, a company building kids’ self-esteem through sports and education.

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